Case Studies PHC Northwest, Inc. Using SOLIDWORKS Solutions to Develop Products that Help People with Disabilities

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	PHC Northwest, Inc. Using SOLIDWORKS Solutions to Develop Products that Help People with Disabilities

PHC Northwest, Inc. Using SOLIDWORKS Solutions to Develop Products that Help People with Disabilities

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries	Consumer Goods Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Manufacturing System Automation Predictive Maintenance
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Establish an efficient product development and manufacturing capability to create products and offer services that generate self-sustaining revenues to support its mission of providing educational, training, and job opportunities for people with disabilities. Read More
About Customer	What began in 1951 as a small, private school for children with disabilities in Portland, Oregon, has blossomed into an expanding, self-sustaining enterprise that provides broad-based educational, training, and job opportunities for people with developmental, physical, and mental disabilities. PHC Northwest (PHCNW) has grown into a dynamic and forward-thinking industry leader. Its diversified business lines allow it to help employees develop the technical skills required to earn living wages in a variety of occupations, including product development, manufacturing, industrial, clerical, janitorial, warehousing, order fulfillment, and landscaping services. PHCNW focuses on empowerment—both as an enterprise and for the individuals it serves. The nonprofit organization is committed to generating its own revenue and receives no government funding. Because PHCNW empowers its 750 employees to work and pay taxes, they’re able to raise families, build careers, and live independently without having to rely on government-funded benefits. Read More
Solution	Choosing the right product design and manufacturing platform to launch new products was of paramount importance in helping PHCNW compete successfully. The organization chose SOLIDWORKS® solutions, implementing SOLIDWORKS Professional design, SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional analysis, and SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D™ electrical design software. PHCNW chose SOLIDWORKS solutions because they are easy to use, integrate directly with MasterCAM® manufacturing software, and provide the range of capabilities required to develop innovative products. Using SOLIDWORKS solutions, PHCNW has developed and launched the Beyond Limitations (BL) line of LED-based lighting products. The organization has expanded its product offering into five distinct lines, including indoor, outdoor, facility, and pool and fountain lighting, as well as a line of LED light engines. PHCNW products have done well in the market. PHCNW is not only a major supplier to the state of Oregon—supplying lighting for streets, parking garages, and other facilities—but also has installations around the world, including British Columbia, Texas, and the Doha International Airport in Qatar. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)

Applicable Industries

Consumer Goods

Healthcare & Hospitals

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Manufacturing System Automation

Predictive Maintenance

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Establish an efficient product development and manufacturing capability to create products and offer services that generate self-sustaining revenues to support its mission of providing educational, training, and job opportunities for people with disabilities.

About Customer

What began in 1951 as a small, private school for children with disabilities in Portland, Oregon, has blossomed into an expanding, self-sustaining enterprise that provides broad-based educational, training, and job opportunities for people with developmental, physical, and mental disabilities. PHC Northwest (PHCNW) has grown into a dynamic and forward-thinking industry leader. Its diversified business lines allow it to help employees develop the technical skills required to earn living wages in a variety of occupations, including product development, manufacturing, industrial, clerical, janitorial, warehousing, order fulfillment, and landscaping services. PHCNW focuses on empowerment—both as an enterprise and for the individuals it serves. The nonprofit organization is committed to generating its own revenue and receives no government funding. Because PHCNW empowers its 750 employees to work and pay taxes, they’re able to raise families, build careers, and live independently without having to rely on government-funded benefits.

Solution

Choosing the right product design and manufacturing platform to launch new products was of paramount importance in helping PHCNW compete successfully. The organization chose SOLIDWORKS® solutions, implementing SOLIDWORKS Professional design, SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional analysis, and SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D™ electrical design software. PHCNW chose SOLIDWORKS solutions because they are easy to use, integrate directly with MasterCAM® manufacturing software, and provide the range of capabilities required to develop innovative products. Using SOLIDWORKS solutions, PHCNW has developed and launched the Beyond Limitations (BL) line of LED-based lighting products. The organization has expanded its product offering into five distinct lines, including indoor, outdoor, facility, and pool and fountain lighting, as well as a line of LED light engines. PHCNW products have done well in the market. PHCNW is not only a major supplier to the state of Oregon—supplying lighting for streets, parking garages, and other facilities—but also has installations around the world, including British Columbia, Texas, and the Doha International Airport in Qatar.

Impact #1	Using SOLIDWORKS software, PHCNW has reduced its development cycles by two-thirds while simultaneously expanding its machine shop.
Impact #2	Developing their own products with SOLIDWORKS helps sustain their operations and allows their employees to learn a skill set that is in high demand in the Pacific Northwest.
Impact #3	SOLIDWORKS Simulation has helped PHCNW understand the heat-management aspects of LED lighting design through simulations of thermal performance, expediting their prototyping process and shortening time-to-market.

Impact #1

Using SOLIDWORKS software, PHCNW has reduced its development cycles by two-thirds while simultaneously expanding its machine shop.

Impact #2

Developing their own products with SOLIDWORKS helps sustain their operations and allows their employees to learn a skill set that is in high demand in the Pacific Northwest.

Impact #3

SOLIDWORKS Simulation has helped PHCNW understand the heat-management aspects of LED lighting design through simulations of thermal performance, expediting their prototyping process and shortening time-to-market.

Benefit #1	Cut development cycle by 66 percent.
Benefit #2	Accelerated launch of innovative LED lighting product line.

Benefit #1

Cut development cycle by 66 percent.

Benefit #2

Accelerated launch of innovative LED lighting product line.

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Overview

PHC Northwest, Inc. Using SOLIDWORKS Solutions to Develop Products that Help People with Disabilities

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit